Image processing apparatus, image data transfer control method and image data transfer control program

ABSTRACT

An image processing apparatus being provided with: a volatile recording medium that stores image data; a nonvolatile recording medium that stores image data; a transfer portion that transfers image data page by page between the volatile recording medium and the nonvolatile recording medium; a controller that suspends transfer of one page of first image data, lets transfer of one page of second image data interrupt, and executes transfer of that page of the second image data on a priority basis, if a request to transfer that page of the second image data is issued with a higher priority level than that page of the first image data while that page of the first image data is being transferred by the transfer portion, and then, resumes transfer of an untransferred portion of that page of the first image data after that page of the second image data is completely transferred.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2007-83071 filed on Mar. 27, 2007, the entire disclosureof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that isequipped with a volatile recording medium such as a work memory and anonvolatile recording medium such as a hard disk, and is capable oftransferring image data between the volatile recording medium and thenonvolatile recording medium, an image data transfer control method thatis preferably used for the image processing apparatus, and an image datatransfer control program stored in a computer readable recording mediumto make a computer of the image processing apparatus execute imageprocessing.

2. Description of the Related Art

The following description sets forth the inventor's knowledge of relatedart and problems therein and should not be construed as an admission ofknowledge in the prior art.

As proved by the present widespread diffusion of multifunctional digitalmachines such as MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals), image processingapparatuses having a plurality of functions such as copying, FAXtransmission/reception and etc., have become generally used. Further,such a conventional image processing apparatus is used to store page bypage, image data read out from a document by a document reader, imagedata received from an external apparatus to be printed,facsimile-received image data, image data to be facsimile-transmittedand other image data, temporarily in a volatile recording medium such asa work memory then in a nonvolatile recording medium such as a harddisk, in order to read out the image data from the hard disk to the workmemory and output (printed or transmitted) it later when necessary.

With such a conventional image processing apparatus, a request totransfer one page of image data between the work memory and the harddisk may be issued while other image data is being transferred page bypage between the work memory and the hard disk. Even if the request isissued with a high priority level, it is suspended until the ongoingtransfer is completed, which is inconvenient.

For example, if image data is facsimile-received while image data readout from a document is being transferred from the work memory to thehard disk according to a copy job, a request to transfer the receivedimage data from the work memory to the hard disk is suspended until onepage of the readout image data is completely transferred. That makes theFAX reception time (communication time) longer, and thereby productivityof the receiver FAX would be reduced and a higher communication costwould be charged to the sender FAX, which is inconvenient.

Further for example, if FAX transmission of image data is started whileimage data read out from a document is being transferred from the workmemory to the hard disk according to a copy job, a request to transferfrom the hard disk to the work memory the image data to befacsimile-transmitted is suspended until one page of the readout imagedata is completely transferred. That also makes the FAX transmissiontime (communication time) longer, and thereby productivity of thereceiver FAX would be reduced and a higher communication cost would becharged to the sender FAX, which is inconvenient.

According to an art suggested by Japanese Unexamined Laid-open PatentPublication No. 2003-046704, if an external apparatus issues a transferrequest with a higher priority level while image data is beingtransferred to another external apparatus, the ongoing transfer issuspended and the transfer to the external apparatus that issued atransfer request with a higher priority level is executed.

However, in this art disclosed in the publication above, the suspendedtransfer is not resumed until the request issued with a high prioritylevel is completely executed, and thereby, it would take more time tocomplete the suspended transfer.

The description herein of advantages and disadvantages of variousfeatures, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed in otherpublications is in no way intended to limit the present invention.Indeed, certain features of the invention may be capable of overcomingcertain disadvantages, while still retaining some or all of thefeatures, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been developedin view of the above-mentioned and/or other problems in the related art.The Preferred embodiments of the present invention can significantlyimprove upon existing methods and/or apparatuses.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an imageprocessing apparatus that is capable of eliminating the inconvenience,wherein if a request to transfer one page of image data is issued with ahigh priority level while one page of other image data is beingtransferred between a volatile recording medium such as a work memoryand a nonvolatile recording medium such as a hard disk, the requestissued with a high priority level is on hold, or the ongoing transfer issuspended and not resumed until the request issued with a high prioritylevel is completely executed.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide an imagedata transfer control method that eliminates the inconvenience, whereinif a request to transfer one page of image data is issued with a highpriority level while one page of other image data is being transferredbetween a volatile recording medium such as a work memory and anonvolatile recording medium such as a hard disk, the request issuedwith a high priority level is on hold, or the ongoing transfer issuspended and not resumed until the request issued with a high prioritylevel is completely executed.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an imagedata transfer control program that is stored in a computer readablerecording medium to make a computer of the image processing apparatusexecute image processing by the image data transfer control methoddescribed above.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an imageprocessing apparatus comprises:

-   -   a volatile recording medium that stores image data in itself;    -   a nonvolatile recording medium that stores image data in itself;    -   a transfer portion that transfers image data page by page        between the volatile recording medium and the nonvolatile        recording medium;    -   a controller that suspends transfer of one page of first image        data, lets transfer of one page of second image data interrupt,        and executes transfer of that page of the second image data on a        priority basis, if a request to transfer that page of the second        image data is issued with a higher priority level than that page        of the first image data while that page of the first image data        is being transferred by the transfer portion, and then, resumes        transfer of the untransferred portion of that page of the first        image data after that page of the second image data is        completely transferred.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image datatransfer control method comprises:

-   -   suspending transfer of one page of first image data that is        transferred page by page, letting transfer of one page of second        image data that is also transferred page by page, interrupt, and        executing transfer of that page of the second image data on a        priority basis, if a request to transfer that page of the second        image data is issued with a higher priority level than that page        of the first image data while that page of the first image data        is being transferred between a volatile recording medium and a        nonvolatile recording medium storing image data in their selves;        and    -   resuming transfer of the untransferred portion of that page of        the first image data after that page of the second image data is        completely transferred.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image datatransfer control program stored in a computer readable recording mediumto make a computer of an image processing apparatus execute:

-   -   suspending transfer of one page of first image data that is        transferred page by page, letting transfer of one page of second        image data that is also transferred page by page, interrupt, and        executing transfer of that page of the second image data on a        priority basis, if a request to transfer that page of the second        image data is issued with a higher priority level than that page        of the first image data while that page of the first image data        is being transferred between a volatile recording medium and a        nonvolatile recording medium storing image data in their selves;        and    -   resuming transfer of the untransferred portion of that page of        the first image data after that page of second image data is        completely transferred.

The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of variousembodiments will be further appreciated in view of the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Variousembodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, featuresand/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments cancombine one or more aspect or feature of other embodiments whereapplicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages ofparticular embodiments should not be construed as limiting otherembodiments or the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way ofexample, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processingapparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a default menu screen displayedon a display;

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a preview selection screen comingup if a preview job is selected via the default menu screen;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a preview screen coming up if auser enters a predetermined selection via the preview selection screen;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of a disk space usage of a HDD;

FIG. 6 is a view showing information stored in a user informationdatabase;

FIG. 7 is a view showing information stored in a BOX informationdatabase;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an imageprocessing apparatus 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a main routine executed by a CPU of theimage processing apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart to explain an input control procedure executed ifimage data read out from a document is inputted;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart to explain an input control procedure executed ifimage data received via a network is inputted;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart to explain an input control procedure executed iffacsimile-received image data is inputted;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart to explain an output control procedure executedif image data is outputted to a printer;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart to explain an output control procedure executedif image data is outputted via a network;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart to explain an output control procedure executedif image data is facsimile-outputted;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart to explain an output control procedure executedif image data is outputted to a preview screen;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart to explain a transfer control procedure totransfer data to/from a HDD by the dosFS transfer mode;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart to explain a transfer control procedure totransfer data to/from a HDD by the image data transfer mode;

FIG. 19 is a view showing transfer operations indicated if the maximumcontinuous transfer image data size is fixed;

FIG. 20 is a view showing transfer operations indicated if the maximumcontinuous transfer image data size is changed depending on a prioritylevel;

FIG. 21 is a view showing a conventional sequence executed if image datais facsimile-received while image data read out from a document is beinginputted; and

FIG. 22 is a view showing a sequence according to this embodiment, whichis executed if image data is facsimile-received while image data readout from a document is being inputted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following paragraphs, some preferred embodiments of the inventionwill be described by way of example and not limitation. It should beunderstood based on this disclosure that various other modifications canbe made by those in the art based on these illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an entire image processing apparatus 1according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The image processing apparatus 1 is connected to a terminal apparatus 2that is a personal computer (hereinafter to be referred to as “PC”) viaa network 5, and to a FAX terminal apparatus 3 via a telephone circuit4, respectively.

The image processing apparatus 1 is a MFP that is a multifunctionaldigital machine having a plurality of functions such as copying, networkprinting, scanning, FAX transmission/reception and etc. And by usingthose functions, the image processing apparatus 1 performs variousoperations according to user instructions given directly via anoperation portion 11 and given remotely via the network 5 from theterminal apparatus 2. Further, a hard disk (hereinafter to be referredto as “HDD”) 16 that is a nonvolatile recording medium of the imageprocessing apparatus 1, has in itself recording areas (hereinafter to bereferred to as “user BOXes”) each storing data such as image data for auser using the image processing apparatus 1.

The terminal apparatus 2 is a PC as mentioned above, and has documentcreation software for users to create documents, images and etc., andvarious other kinds of software including a printer driver for the imageprocessing apparatus 1, which are all installed on itself. And if a usergives an instruction to output a document, an image or etc. aftercreating it by using the document creation software, the printer drivercreates a print job then transmits it to the image processing apparatus1 via the network 5.

The FAX terminal apparatus 3 performs signal processes including datacompression, data modulation and etc., on image data read out from adocument, then transmits the processed image data to the image formingapparatus 1 or etc. via the telephone circuit 4.

Hereinafter, a configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 will beexplained.

The image processing apparatus 1 comprises a CPU 10, an operationportion 11, a display 12, a ROM 13, a work memory 14 that is a volatilerecording medium, a HDD 16, a compressor/expander 17, a networkcontroller 18, a FAX controller 19, a memory controller PCI bridge 20, abus arbitrator 21, an image reader's interface (image reader's I/F) 23,an image reader 24, a printer's interface (printer's I/F) 25, a printer26 and etc.

The CPU 10 controls the entire image processing apparatus 1 by executinga program stored in a recording medium such as the ROM 13 or loaded inthe work memory 14. The CPU 10 will be further explained later.

The operation portion 11 comprises a plurality of keys that are used toenter numbers, text, marks and etc., a sensor that detects pressed keys,a transmission circuit that transmits to the CPU 10 signals indicatingthe detected keys, and etc.

The display 12 comprises a touch panel, and detects a location on thetouch panel, which is touched with fingers by users, then transmits tothe CPU 10 signals indicating the detection results. Further, thedisplay 12 displays on itself a screen giving an instruction or amessage to users, a screen letting users enter a setting or a process ofthe image processing apparatus, and a screen showing an image formed ora process result that is drawn by the image processing apparatus 1. Asshown in FIG. 2, when the power is ON or the image processing apparatusis in the normal status, the display 12 displays on itself a defaultmenu screen 124 showing a group of various process selection buttons121, a message 122, user name buttons 123 and etc. Via the default menuscreen 124, a user selects a preferable process by pressing a buttonamong the group of various process selection buttons 121.

For example, if a user selects “copy”, “scan and transmit”,“facsimile-transmit” or “store” by pressing a button among the group ofvarious process selection buttons 121, the screen switches to a modesetting screen letting users select among various mode settingsincluding a setting for reading a document by the image reader 24, andthe screen waits for a setting entered by the user. Specifically, if theuser selects “scan and transmit” or “facsimile-transmit”, the display 12displays on itself a screen accepting a destination address, a user BOXname, a telephone number or etc., entered by the user. If the userselects “store”, the display 12 displays on itself a screen accepting adestination address that is a user BOX name, and a document name,entered by the user. If the user selects “read out” or “preview”, thedisplay 12 displays on itself a screen accepting a user BOX name and adocument name entered by the user, so that a document and a user BOXfrom which the document is read out could be identified.

Hereinafter, an example of a screen displayed if “preview” is selected,will be explained.

If a user selects “preview” via the default menu screen 124 by pressinga button among the group of various process selection buttons 121 thenselects “INOUE” by pressing a button among the user name buttons 123,the display 12 displays on itself a preview selection screen 131 asshown in FIG. 3. In this preview selection screen 131, a message 132, auser name field 133, a document name field 134 and etc. are displayed.If the user enters a document name, parameter information of thespecified document is read out page by page from the HDD 16 by the dosFStransfer mode, and image data of the specified document is read outtherefrom by the image data transfer mode. Then, the image data isoutputted on the display 12 as shown in a preview screen 141 of FIG. 4.In this preview screen 141, a message 142 notifying of “on preview”, animage processing spec screen 143 and etc. are displayed.

Further, the image processing apparatus 1 has a HTML conversion programto transmit to the terminal apparatus 2, screen data corresponding tothe various screens displayed on the display 12, and a program toreceive information from the terminal apparatus 2, which is entered bythe user with screens displayed on a display of the terminal apparatus2, which are installed thereon. These programs enable the user to readout image data stored in a user BOX, etc. of the image processingapparatus 1, by remotely making access to the user BOX from the terminalapparatus 2 that is his/her own PC, etc. And then, the image processingapparatus 1 performs the selected process on the image data.

As described above, the operation portion 11 and the display 12 work asa user interface used by users to give instructions to the imageprocessing apparatus 1. As referred to a control block 49 in FIG. 8,this user interface is interconnected to a job generator 50, a jobexecution controller 51, a user authenticator 52, a BOX controlprocessor 53 and a BOX administrator 54, and exchanges information withthese portions according to an instruction directly given from theoperation portion 11 or remotely given from the terminal apparatus 2 viathe network controller 5.

Back to FIG. 1, the ROM 13 stores in itself a program and data torealize basic functions of the image processing apparatus 1. Concretely,the ROM 13 stores a program and data in itself to realize functions ofthe job generator 50, the job execution controller 51, the userauthenticator 52, the BOX control processor 53, the BOX administrator 54and etc. shown in FIG. 8. The functions of these portions will bedetailed later.

The work memory 14 temporarily stores in itself image data transmittedfrom the terminal apparatus 2 or the FAX terminal apparatus 3, imagedata compressed by the compressor/expander 17 in order to be transmittedto the terminal apparatus 2 or the FAX terminal apparatus 3, and imagedata read out by the image reader 24 then compressed by thecompressor/expander 17. The work memory 14 comprises an active jobdatabase 15 (hereinafter, “database” will be referred to as “DB”).

The active job DB 15 contains information of matrix (jobs) waiting to beexecuted. Concretely, the active job DB 15 contains information ofqueues, in which each of the jobs is registered with a document number44 and a page number 45, and the jobs are executed in order ofregistration.

The HDD 16 consists of a dosFS administration area 35 that is controlledby using the Dos File System (dosFS) that is generally used, and adirect transfer area 36 storing in itself image data, as shown in FIG.5.

The dosFS administration area 35 consists of a user information DB 37and a BOX information DB 38, and each file stored therein can beaccessed. Further, one cluster size is set to 32 KB so as to be suitablefor various file systems, and thus it makes the data transfer speedcomparatively slow.

The user information DB 37 consists of areas storing user names 40,document names 41, document numbers 42 and applications 43 as shown inFIG. 6, which are information of files stored in the respective userBOXes.

The user names 40 are used as identification information to identify auser when he/she intends to use the image processing apparatus 1, andused as storage information when a user specifies his/her user BOX tostore image data or other, also used as address information when a usertransmits image data to another user. If no user name is specified, auser name is automatically set as “PUBLIC”, and all users using theimage processing apparatus 1 are allowed to arbitrarily use a user BOXthat is identified by this user name.

The document names 41 are information to identify a document stored in auser BOX.

The document numbers 42 are information used when a user refers toinformation of image data specified by a document name 41, and adocument number 42 indicates a certain table stored in the BOXinformation DB 38. For example, if a user specifies a document with thedocument number of 1, information of image data in a table of thedocument number of 1 shown in FIG. 7, is provided to him/her.

The applications 43 indicate applications, via which image data areinputted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the BOX information DB 38 consists of areas dividedby the document numbers 44, and stores HDD sector numbers 46 indicatinglocations in the HDD 16, in which the respective image data specified bythe page numbers 45 are stored, and necessary parameter information suchas sheet size 47 and etc.

Back to FIG. 6, the direct transfer area 36 is an area storing imagedata in itself, and has a BOX image data area 39 therein to store imagedata. The direct transfer area 36 is accessed by arbitrarily specifyinga sector of the HDD 16, not by the Dos File System that is generallyused. And a cluster size is determined depending on a compressed size ofnormal image data, and thus it makes the access speed fast.

Back to FIG. 1, the compressor/expander 17 compresses a size of imagedata according to a setting, or expands (restores) the compressed sizeof image data to the original condition.

The network controller 18 receives/transmits jobs via the network 5.Concretely, the network controller 18 receives a print job and aninternet FAX job transmitted via the network 5 from an externalapparatus such as the terminal apparatus 2, and transmits image dataread out by the image reader 24 to the terminal apparatus 2 via thenetwork 5.

The FAX controller 19 exchanges FAX jobs with the FAX terminal apparatus3 via the telephone circuit 4. Concretely, the FAX controller 19receives a FAX job transmitted from the FAX terminal apparatus 3 via thetelephone circuit 4, and facsimile-transmits image data read out from adocument by the image reader 24, to the FAX terminal apparatus 3 via thetelephone circuit 4.

The memory controller PCI bridge 20 controls conditions of data inputtedin and outputted from the work memory 14, and connects the bus stretchedfrom the CPU 10 and the PCI buses.

The bus arbitrator 21 controls transfer of image data inputted and to beoutputted, by using the transfer controller 22.

The image reader 24 comprises a scanner that reads a document placed bya user, and transmits image data read out from the document to the busarbitrator 21 by the image reader's I/F 23.

The printer 26 receives by the printer's I/F 25, image data read out bythe image reader 24 and image data transmitted from the terminalapparatus 2 via the network 5, then prints the image data.

Hereinafter, jobs that can be processed by the image processingapparatus 1 will be explained.

The jobs (applications) that can be processed by the image processingapparatus 1 are a copy job, a scan job, a BOX storage job to storeinputted image data in a user BOX, a FAX transmission job, a print job,a FAX reception job, a BOX readout job to read out image data from auser BOX, a preview job and etc. When these jobs are executed, imagedata are inputted in/outputted to certain respective portions, asdescribed below.

When a copy job, a scan job or a FAX transmission job is executed, imagedata is inputted from the image reader 24, then outputted to the printer26, the network 5, or the telephone circuit 4, respectively. When a BOXstorage job is executed, image data is inputted from the image reader 24in the same way, but not outputted to any external portion.

When a print job is executed, image data is inputted from the network 5,then outputted to the printer 26. When a FAX reception job is executed,image data is inputted from the telephone circuit 4, then outputted tothe printer 26. When a BOX readout job or a preview job is executed,image data is not inputted but outputted to the printer 26 or thedisplay 12, respectively.

Hereinafter, data flows of image data inputted/outputted when therespective jobs are executed, will be explained with reference to FIG.1.

[Data Input]

When a copy job, a print job, a BOX storage job or a BOX transmissionjob is executed, image data read out by the image reader 24 istransferred to the compressor/expander 17 and compressed thereby. Andthe image data is temporarily stored in the work memory 14, thentransferred therefrom to the HDD 16 and stored (written) therein.

When a print job is executed, image data transmitted from the terminalapparatus 2 via the network 5 is received by the network controller 18.And the image data is transferred to the work memory 14 then compressedby the compressor/expander 17. Subsequently, the image data istransferred again to the work memory 14 and temporarily stored therein,then further transferred therefrom to the HDD 16 and stored therein.

When a FAX reception job is executed, image data transmitted from theFAX terminal apparatus 3 via the telephone circuit 4 is received by theFAX controller 19. And the image data is transferred to the work memory14 then compressed by the compressor/expander 17. Subsequently, theimage data is transferred again to the work memory 14 and temporarilystored therein, then further transferred therefrom to the HDD 16 andstored therein.

[Data Output]

When a copy job, a print job, a BOX readout job or a FAX reception jobis executed, image data is read out from the HDD 16. And the image datais transferred to the work memory 14 and temporarily stored therein,then expanded by the compressor/expander 17. Subsequently, the imagedata is transferred again to the work memory 14, then furthertransmitted to the printer 26 via the printer's I/F 25. And thereby, theimage data is printed.

When a scan job is executed, image data is read out from the HDD 16. Andthe image data is transferred to the work memory 14 and temporarilystored therein, then expanded by the compressor/expander 17.Subsequently, the image data is transferred again to the work memory 14,then further transferred to the network controller 18. And then, theimage data is outputted to the terminal apparatus 2 via the network 5.

When a FAX transmission job is executed, image data is read out from theHDD 16. And the image data is transferred to the work memory 14 andtemporarily stored therein, then expanded by the compressor/expander 17.Subsequently, the image data is transferred again to the work memory 14,then further transferred to the FAX controller 19. And then, the imagedata is outputted to the FAX terminal apparatus 3 via the telephonecircuit 4.

When a preview job is executed, image data is read out from the HDD 16.And the image data is transferred to the work memory 14 and temporarilystored therein, then expanded by the compressor/expander 17.Subsequently, the image data is transferred again to the work memory 14,then further transferred to the display 12.

[Functional Configuration]

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of theimage processing apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, the image processing apparatus 1 comprises the jobgenerator 50, the job execution controller 51, the BOX control processor53, the BOX administrator 54 and etc. The CPU 10 realizes functions ofthese portions by executing a program stored in a recording medium suchas the ROM 13.

The job generator 50 judges a necessary process to input/output imagedata when a copy job, a scan job, a print job, a BOX storage job, a BOXreadout job, a FAX transmission job, a FAX reception job or a previewjob is executed, and registers the job n the active job DB 15.

The job execution controller 51 executes the registered job according tothe queue of the active job DB 15, and issues a request to input/outputimage data page by page. In other words, the job execution controller 51controls the overall sequence to input/output image data, which isactivated when an application such as a copy job, a scan job, a FAXtransmission job, a FAX reception job or etc. is executed. Further, thejob execution controller 51 issues a request to input/output image datapage by page, to an image data inputter/outputter.

The user authenticator 52 performs user authentication by comparing userinformation entered by users and user information registered in the userinformation DB 37, and administers user BOX names and user names thatare stored in the user information DB 37.

The BOX control processor 53 performs a process to store in/read outfrom a user BOX.

The BOX administrator 54 administers the entire BOX information DB 38.

[Operations Performed in the Image Processing Apparatus 1]

Hereinafter, an entire procedure executed in the image processingapparatus 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. 9, which is startedby turning ON the main source of electrical power. This procedure isexecuted by the CPU 10 according to a program stored in a recordingmedium such as the ROM 13. Exactly in the same way, all procedures to beexplained with reference to their respective flowcharts hereinafter areexecuted by the CPU 10.

If the main source of electrical power is turned ON, under the controlof the CPU 10, initialization is performed (Step S70). Subsequently, apanel input/output process is performed (Step S71) and a job controlprocess is performed (Step S72). Then the routine returns to Step S71.

Hereinafter, initialization in Step S70 and a job control process inStep S72 will be explained.

In initialization of Step S70, variables numbers related to a panelinput/output process, a job control process and an image datainput/output process are initialized. Further, tasks to execute thesequences related to inputting/outputting image, which are a readoutimage input control, a network image input control, a FAX image inputcontrol, a print image output control, a network image output control, aFAX image output control, a preview image output control and a HDDtransfer control by the image transfer mode, are activated. Detailedexplanation about these sequences mentioned above will be providedlater.

In the job control process of Step S72, three processes that are jobgeneration, BOX control and job execution control are performed.

Job generation is performed by the job generator 50, a BOX controlprocess is performed by the BOX control processor 53, and job executioncontrol process is performed by the job execution controller 51. Sinceexplanation about these processes is already provided, it is omittedhere.

Hereinafter, procedures executed in the image processing apparatus 1 ifimage data is inputted, and procedures executed in the image processingapparatus 1 if image data is outputted, will be explained separately andrespectively.

Procedures Executed if Image Data is Inputted

Procedures executed in the image processing apparatus 1 to transferinputted image data to the HDD 16 via the work memory 14, will beexplained with reference to flowcharts shown in FIG. 10 through FIG. 12.

The flowcharts of FIG. 10 through FIG. 12 show the procedures executedin the image processing apparatus 1, if image data read out from adocument is inputted, if image data received via the network isinputted, and if facsimile-received image data is inputted,respectively. These procedures are executed according to differenttasks, and can be executed simultaneously.

[Procedure Executed if Image Data Read Out from Document is Inputted]

Hereinafter, the procedure executed if image data read out by the imagereader 24 is inputted, will be explained with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 10.

Under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether or not there is arequest to input one page of image data (Step S80). If it is judged thatthere is not such a request (NO in Step S80), the routine waits untilsuch a request is issued. If it is judged that there is such a request(YES in Step S80), under the control of the CPU 10, image data is readout from a document by the image reader 24, and thereby the image datais inputted. Then the image data is compressed by thecompressor/expander 17 (Step S81). Subsequently, parameter informationof the image data is transferred via the work memory 14 to the HDD 16and stored therein, or alternatively, a priority level to read outparameter information of the image data from the HDD by the dosFStransfer mode is written therein (Step S82). The parameter informationincludes the HDD sector number 46 indicating locations of the imagedata, the sheet size 47 and etc. all of which are stored in the BOXinformation DB 38, as described above. In this embodiment, it isconfigured such that a procedure executed if image datafacsimile-received is inputted should be the top priority among theprocedures executed if image data is inputted. Therefore, a prioritylevel of the dosFS transfer mode is set to “3”, in the input controlprocedure executed if image data read out from a document is inputted.Note that the smaller numbers indicate the higher priority level oftransfer processing. Further, it is configured such that data is written(transferred) by 32 KB by the dosFS transfer mode.

In Step S83, under the control of the CPU 10, a transfer controlprocedure to transfer data to/from the HDD 16 by the dosFS transfer modeis executed according to a flowchart shown in FIG. 17. This procedurewill be detailed later.

Then in Step S84, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whetheror not necessary parameter information of one page of image data iscompletely written in the dosFS administration area 35. If it is judgedthat necessary parameter information is not yet completely writtentherein (NO in Step S84), the routine returns to Step S82 and repeatsSteps S82 through S84 until it is completely written, since thenecessary parameter is partially unwritten yet. If it is judged thatnecessary parameter information is completely written therein (YES inStep S84), under the control of the CPU 10, a request to transfer theinputted image data to the HDD 16 is written in the HDD image transferqueue, with the priority level “2” (Step S85). Then in Step S86, theimage data is transferred to the direct transfer area 36 of the HDD 16and stored therein.

In Step S86, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot one page of image data is completely written in the direct transferarea 36 of the HDD 16.

If it is judged that the image data is not yet completely writtentherein (NO in Step S86), under the control of the CPU 10, the routinewaits until it is completely written. If it is judged that the imagedata is completely written therein (YES in Step S86), under the controlof the CPU 10, the routine returns to Step S80 and waits until a requestto input a following page of image data is issued. And if such a requestis issued, subsequent processes are performed similarly and accordinglyas described above.

[Procedure Executed if Image Data Received Via Network is Inputted]

Hereinafter, the procedure executed if image data received from theterminal apparatus 2 via the network 5 is inputted, will be explainedwith reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11.

Under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether or not there is arequest to input one page of image data received via the network (StepS90). If it is judged that there is not such a request (NO in Step S90),the routine waits until such a request is issued. If it is judged thatthere is such a request (YES in Step S90), under the control of the CPU10, the request to input image data is accepted, and the image data iscompressed by the compressor/expander 17 (Step S91). Then, a prioritylevel of the dosFS transfer mode is written (Step S82). In thisembodiment, it is configured such that a procedure executed iffacsimile-received image data is inputted should be the top priority asmentioned above. Therefore, a priority level of the dosFS transfer modeis set to “3”.

In Step S93, under the control of the CPU 10, a procedure to transferdata to/from the HDD 16 by the dosFS transfer mode is executed accordingto a flowchart shown in FIG. 17. This procedure will be detailed later.

In Step S94, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot necessary parameter information of one page of image data, iscompletely written in the dosFS administration area 35. If it is judgedthat necessary parameter information is not yet completely writtentherein (NO in Step S94), the routine returns to Step S92 and repeatsSteps S92 through S94 until it is completely written. If it is judgedthat necessary parameter information is completely written therein (YESin Step S94), under the control of the CPU 10, a request to transfer theinputted image data to the HDD 16 is written in the HDD image transferqueue, with the priority level “2” (Step S95). Then the routine proceedsto Step S96.

In Step S96, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot the image data (one page of image data) is completely written in theHDD 16.

If it is judged that the image data is not yet completely writtentherein (NO in Step S96), under the control of the CPU 10, the routinewaits until it is completely written. If it is judged that the imagedata is completely written therein (YES in Step S96), under the controlof the CPU 10, the routine returns to Step S90 and waits until a requestto input a following page of image data is issued.

[Procedure Executed if Facsimile-Received Image Data is Inputted]

Hereinafter, the procedure executed if image data received by the FAXterminal apparatus 3 is inputted, will be explained with reference tothe flowchart shown in FIG. 12.

Under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether or not there is arequest to input one page of facsimile-received image data (Step S100).If it is judged that there is not such a request (NO in Step S100), theroutine waits until such a request is issued. If it is judged that thereis such a request (YES in Step S100), under the control of the CPU10,the request to input image data from the FAX controller 18 is accepted,and the image data is compressed by the compressor/expander 17 (StepS101). Then, a priority level of the dosFS transfer mode is written(Step S102). In this embodiment, it is configured such that a procedureexecuted if facsimile-received image data is inputted should be the toppriority as mentioned above. Therefore, a priority level of the dosFStransfer mode is set to “1”.

In Step S103, under the control of the CPU 10, a procedure to transferdata to/from the HDD 16 by the dosFS transfer mode is executed accordingto a flowchart shown in FIG. 17. This procedure will be detailed later.

In Step S104, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot necessary parameter information of one page of image data iscompletely written in the dosFS administration area 35. If it is judgedthat necessary parameter information is not yet completely writtentherein (NO in Step S104), the routine returns to Step S102 and repeatsSteps S102 through S104 until it is completely written. If it is judgedthat necessary parameter information is completely written therein (YESin Step S104), under the control of the CPU 10, a request to transferthe inputted image data to the HDD 16 is written in the HDD imagetransfer queue, with the priority level “1” (Step S105). Then theroutine proceeds to Step S106.

In Step S106, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot one page of image data is completely written in the HDD 16.

If it is judged that the image data is not yet completely writtentherein (NO in Step S106), under the control of the CPU 10, the routinewaits until it is completely written. If it is judged that the imagedata is completely written therein (YES in Step S106), under the controlof the CPU 10, the routine returns to Step S100 and waits until arequest to input a following page of image data is issued.

Procedures Executed if Image Data is Outputted

Hereinafter, procedures executed in the image processing apparatus 1, ifimage data is outputted to be printed, if image data is outputted viathe network, if image data is facsimile-outputted, and if image data isoutputted to be previewed, will be explained with reference toflowcharts shown in FIG. 13 through FIG. 16, respectively. Theprocedures are executed according to different tasks, and can beexecuted simultaneously.

[Procedure Executed if Image Data is Outputted to be Printed]

The procedure executed if image data is outputted to the printer 26,will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13.

Under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether or not there is arequest to output one page of image data to be printed (Step S120). Ifit is judged that there is not such a request (NO in Step S120), theroutine waits until such a request is issued. If it is judged that thereis such a request (YES in Step S120), under the control of the CPU 10,parameter information of the image data is read out from the HDD 16 bythe dosFS transfer mode (Step S121), so that the image data could beexpanded later. In this embodiment, it is configured such that aprocedure executed if image data is facsimile-outputted should be thetop priority. Therefore, a priority level of the dosFS transfer mode isset to “3”. Further, it is configured such that data is transferred(read out) by 32 KB by the dosFS transfer mode.

Subsequently, under the control of the CPU 10, a procedure to transferdata to/from the HDD 16 by the dosFS transfer mode is executed accordingto a flowchart shown in FIG. 17 (Step S122). This procedure will bedetailed later.

In Step S123, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot necessary parameter information of one page of image data iscompletely read out from the dosFS administration area 35. If it isjudged that necessary parameter information is not yet completely readout therefrom (NO in Step S123), the routine returns to Step S121 andrepeats Steps S121 through S123 until it is completely read out. If itis judged that necessary parameter information is completely read outtherefrom (YES in Step S123), under the control of the CPU 10, a requestto read out the image data from the HDD 16 is written in the HDD imagetransfer queue, with the priority level “2” (Step S124). Then theroutine proceeds to Step S125.

In Step S125, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot one page of image data is completely read out form the HDD 16.

If it is judged that the image data is not yet completely read outtherefrom (NO in Step S125), the routine waits until it is completelyread out therefrom. If it is judged that the image data is completelyread out therefrom (YES in Step S125), under the control of the CPU 10,the readout image data is expanded by the compressor/expander 17 thenoutputted to the printer 26 via the printer I/F 25 (Step S126). Then theroutine returns to Step S120.

[Procedure Executed if Image Data is Outputted to be Transmitted ViaNetwork]

Hereinafter, the procedure executed if image data is outputted to theterminal apparatus 2 via the network 5, will be explained with theflowchart shown in FIG. 14.

Under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether or not there is arequest to output one page of image data to be transmitted via thenetwork (Step S130). If it is judged that there is not such a request(NO in Step S130), the routine waits until such a request is issued. Ifit is judged that there is such a request (YES in Step S130), under thecontrol of the CPU 10, parameter information of the image data is readout from the HDD 16 by the dosFS transfer mode (Step S131). In thisembodiment, it is configured such that a procedure executed if imagedata is facsimile-outputted should be the top priority. Therefore, apriority level of the dosFS transfer mode is set to “3”.

Subsequently, under the control of the CPU 10, a procedure to transferdata to/from the HDD 16 by the dosFS transfer mode is executed accordingto a flowchart shown in FIG. 17 (Step S132). This procedure will bedetailed later.

In Step S133, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot necessary parameter information of one page of image data iscompletely read out from the dosFS administration area 35. If it isjudged that necessary parameter information is not yet completely readout therefrom (NO in Step S133), the routine returns to Step S131 andrepeats Steps S131 through S133 until it is completely read out. If itis judged that necessary parameter information is completely read outtherefrom (YES in Step S133), under the control of the CPU 10, a requestto read out the image data from the HDD 16 is written in the HDD imagetransfer queue, with the priority level “2” (Step S134). Then theroutine proceeds to Step S135.

In Step S135, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot one page of image data is completely read out from the HDD 16. If itis judged that the image data is not yet completely read out therefrom(NO in Step S135), the routine waits until it is completely read out. Ifit is judged that the image data is completely read out therefrom (YESin Step S135), under the control of the CPU 10, the readout image datais expanded by the compressor/expander 17 then outputted to the networkcontroller 18 (Step S136). Then the routine returns to Step S130.

[Procedure Executed if Image Data is Outputted to beFacsimile-transmitted]

Hereinafter, the procedure executed if image data is outputted to theFAX terminal apparatus 3 via the telephone circuit 4, will be explainedwith reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15.

Under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether or not there is arequest to facsimile-output one page of image data (Step S140). If it isjudged that there is not such a request (NO in Step S140), the routinewaits until such a request is issued. If it is judged that there is sucha request (YES in Step S140), under the control of the CPU 10, parameterinformation of the image data is read out from the HDD 16 by the dosFStransfer mode (Step S141). In this embodiment, it is configured suchthat a procedure executed if image data is facsimile-outputted should bethe top priority. Therefore, a priority level of the dosFS transfer modeis set to “1”. Further, it is configured such that data is read out by32 KB by the dosFS transfer mode.

Subsequently, under the control of the CPU 10, a procedure to transferdata to/from the HDD 16 by the dosFS transfer mode is executed accordingto a flowchart shown in FIG. 17 (Step S142). This procedure will bedetailed later.

In Step S143, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot necessary parameter information of one page of image data iscompletely read out from the dosFS administration area 35. If it isjudged that necessary parameter information is not yet completely readout therefrom (NO in Step S143), the routine returns to Step S141 andrepeats Steps S141 through S143 until it is completely read out. If itis judged that necessary parameter information is completely read outtherefrom (YES in Step S143), under the control of the CPU 10, a requestto read out the image data from the HDD 16 is written in the HDD imagetransfer queue, with the priority level “1” (Step S144). Then theroutine proceeds to Step S145.

In Step S145, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot one page of image data is completely read out from the HDD 16.

If it is judged that the image data is not yet completely read outtherefrom (NO in Step S145), under the control of the CPU 10, theroutine waits until it is completely read out. If it is judged that theimage data is completely read out therefrom (YES in Step S145), underthe control of the CPU 10, the readout image data is expanded by thecompressor/expander 17 then outputted to the FAX controller 19 (StepS146). Then the routine returns to Step S140.

[Procedure Executed if Image Data is Outputted to be Previewed]

Hereinafter, the procedure executed if image data is outputted to thedisplay 12, will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown inFIG. 16.

Under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether or not there is arequest to output one page of image data to be previewed (Step S150). Ifit is judged that there is not such a request (NO in Step S150), theroutine waits until such a request is issued. If it is judged that thereis such a request (YES in Step S150), under the control of the CPU 10,parameter information of the image data is read out from the HDD 16 bythe dosFS transfer mode (Step S151). In this embodiment, it isconfigured such that the procedure executed if image data isfacsimile-outputted should be the top priority, meanwhile, the procedureexecuted if image data is outputted to the display 12 should beresponsive to user panel operation. Therefore, a priority level of thedosFS transfer mode is set to “2”. Further, it is configured such thatdata is read out by 32 KB by the dosFS transfer mode.

Subsequently, under the control of the CPU 10, a procedure to transferdata to/from the HDD 16 by the dosFS transfer mode is executed accordingto a flowchart shown in FIG. 17 (Step S122). This procedure will bedetailed later.

In Step S153, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot necessary parameter information of one page of image data iscompletely read out from the dosFS administration area 35. If it isjudged that parameter information of the image data is not yetcompletely read out therefrom (NO in Step S153), the routine returns toStep S151 and repeats Steps S151 through S153 until it is completelyread out. If it is judged that parameter information of the image datais completely read out therefrom (YES in Step S153), under the controlof the CPU 10, a request to read out the image data from the HDD 16 iswritten in the HDD image transfer queue, with the priority level “2”(Step S154). Then the routine proceeds to Step S155.

In Step S155, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot one page of image data is completely read out from the HDD 16.

If it is judged that the image data is not yet completely read outtherefrom (NO in Step S155), the routine waits until it is completelyread out. If it is judged that the image data is completely read outtherefrom (YES in Step S155), under the control of the CPU 10, thereadout image data is expanded by the compressor/expander 17 thenoutputted to the display 12 (Step S156). Then the routine returns toStep S150.

Procedure Executed if Image Data is Transferred Between HDD and WorkMemory

Hereinafter, procedures executed if image data is transferred betweenthe work memory 14 and the HDD 16, will be explained in details withreference to flowcharts shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the procedure executed ifimage data read out from a document is inputted, if image data receivedvia the network is inputted, if facsimile-received image data isinputted, if image data is outputted to be printed, if image data isoutputted via the network, if image data is facsimile-outputted, or ifimage data is outputted to be previewed. The subroutine is a procedureto transfer data to/from the HDD 16 by the dosFS transfer mode (StepS83, S93, S103, S122, S132, S142 or S152).

In Step S831 of FIG. 17, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judgedwhether or not the priority level of the dosFS transfer mode is “1” sothat the maximum continuous transfer image data size could be changeddepending on the priority level. If it is judged that the priority levelis “1” (YES in Step S831), the maximum continuous transfer image datasize is set to 8 KB, so that parameter information of the image datacould be written in/read out on a priority basis (Step S833). Then thesubroutine proceeds to Step S836. If it is judged that the prioritylevel is not “1” (NO in Step S831), under the control of the CPU 10, itis judged whether or not the priority level of the dosFS transfer modeis “2” (Step S832). If it is judged that the priority level is “2” (YESin Step S832), under the control of the CPU 1, the maximum continuoustransfer image data size is set to 16 KB (Step S834), then thesubroutine proceeds to Step S836. If it is judged that the prioritylevel is not “2” (NO in Step S832), under the control of the CPU 10, themaximum continuous transfer image data size is set to 32 KB (Step S835),so that the inputted image data could be written in or the image data tobe outputted could be read out, on a priority basis. And then, thesubroutine proceeds to Step S836.

In Step S836, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot a HDD transfer exclusion semaphore is acquired, so that parameterinformation of the image data could be written in or read out from theHDD 16. The HDD transfer exclusion semaphore excludes a process to writein/read out parameter information and a process to transfer image datato/from the HDD 16 by the image data transfer mode, which is to bedescribed later. By acquiring the semaphore, transfer by the dosFStransfer mode and transfer by the image data transfer mode are performedin alternate shifts.

If it is judged that the HDD transfer exclusion semaphore is notacquired (NO in Step S836), under the control of the CPU 10, thesubroutine waits until it is acquired. If it is judged that the HDDtransfer exclusion semaphore is acquired (YES in Step S836), then in thecases of the procedures executed if image data is inputted as shown inFIG. 10 through FIG. 12, parameter information of the image data iswritten in the dosFS administration area 35 of the HDD 16 (Step S837),under the control of the CPU 10. Meanwhile, in the cases of theprocedures executed if image data is outputted as shown in FIG. 13through FIG. 16, parameter information of the image data is read outfrom the dosFS administration area 35 of the HDD 16 (Step S837), underthe control of the CPU 10.

Subsequently, the location of transferred image data is updated (StepS838), and it is judged whether or not the requested size (32 KB) ofimage data is completely transferred (Step S839).

If it is judged that the requested size of image data is not yetcompletely transferred (NO in Step S839), the subroutine returns to StepS836 and repeats Steps S836 through S839 until it is completelytransferred. If it is judged that the requested size of image data iscompletely transferred (YES in Step S839), under the control of the CPU10, the HDD transfer exclusion semaphore is released (Step S840), andthe maximum continuous transfer image data size is set to 128 KB (StepS841), so that the image data could be more effectively transferred.Then the subroutine returns.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a procedure to transfer image datato/from the HDD 16 by the image data transfer mode. This procedure isactivated by a task, in an initialization process of the main routineshown in FIG. 9. Therefore, this procedure can be executedsimultaneously with the procedures executed if image data is inputted,which are shown in FIG. 10 through FIG. 12, or with the proceduresexecuted if image data is outputted, which are shown in FIG. 13 throughFIG. 16.

Under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether or not there is arequest to transfer image data to/from the HDD 16, stored in the HDDtransfer queue (Step S1250). If it is judged that there is not such arequest stored in the HDD transfer queue (NO in Step S1250), thesubroutine waits until such a request is stored in the HDD transferqueue, since such a request is not issued. If it is judged that there issuch a request stored in the HDD transfer queue (YES in Step S1250),under the control of the CPU 10, the request is acquired from the HDDtransfer queue (Step S1251). If there are such a plurality of requestsstored in the HDD transfer queue, a request with the higher prioritylevel is acquired on a priority basis as described above.

Subsequently, it is judged whether or not the request is to transferimage data by the transfer resumption mode (Step S1252). This judgmentis necessary to resume transfer of image data with a low priority level,which is suspended if a request to transfer other image data isregistered in the queue with a high priority level while the image datais being transferred with a low priority level.

If it is judged that the request is not to transfer image data by thetransfer resumption mode (NO in Step S1252), under the control of theCPU 10, the onset point of data transfer is set to the front edge of thepage of image data (Step S1253), then the subroutine proceeds to StepS1255. If it is judged that the request is to transfer image data by thetransfer resumption mode (YES in Step S1252), the onset point of datatransfer is set to the resumption point (Step S1254), then thesubroutine proceeds to Step S1255.

In Step S1255, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot a HDD transfer exclusion semaphore is acquired, so that the imagedata could be transferred between the work memory 14 and the HDD 16. TheHDD transfer exclusion semaphore enables transfer of parameterinformation and transfer of image data to be performed in alternateshifts, like in the way as the previous procedure to transfer data bythe dosFS transfer mode.

If it is judged that a HDD transfer exclusion semaphore is not acquired(NO in Step S1255), under the control of the CPU 10, the subroutinewaits until it is acquired. If it is judged that a HDD transferexclusion semaphore is acquired (YES in Step S1255), under the controlof the CPU 10, the maximum continuous transfer image data size isupdated (Step S1256). The maximum continuous transfer image data sizecorresponds to the value that is set in the previous procedure totransfer data to/from the HDD 16 by the dosFS transfer mode, and thisvalue is stored in this Step.

Subsequently, in the case of the procedures shown in FIG. 10 throughFIG. 12, which are executed if image data is inputted, the image data iswritten in the HDD 16 (Step S1257). Meanwhile, in the case of theprocedures shown in FIG. 13 through FIG. 16, which are executed if imagedata is outputted, the image data is read out from the HDD 16 (StepS1257).

Then, the onset point of data transfer is updated (Step S1258), and itis judged whether or not the maximum continuous transfer image data sizeof the image data is completely transferred (Step S1259).

If it is judged that the maximum continuous transfer image data size ofthe image data is not yet completely transferred (NO in Step S1259), thesubroutine returns to Step S1257 and repeats Steps S1257 through S1259until it is completely transferred. If it is judged that the maximumcontinuous transfer image data size of the image data is completelytransferred (YES in Step S1259), under the control of the CPU 10, theHDD transfer exclusion semaphore is released (Step S1260).

The maximum continuous transfer image data size is changed depending onthe priority level of the dosFS transfer mode as mentioned above.Therefore, the greater maximum continuous transfer image data size is,the more image data is transferred continuously, which can reduce thetime taken for transfer by the image data transfer mode with limitedinfluence of transfer by the dosFS transfer mode. On the other hand, thesmaller maximum continuous transfer image data size is, the less imagedata is transferred continuously, which can reduce the time taken fortransfer by the dosFS transfer mode with limited influence of transferby the image data transfer mode. In this regard, details will beprovided later.

After the HDD transfer exclusion semaphore is released in Step S1260, itis judged whether or not image data is now being transferred with thepriority level “1” (Step S1261).

If it is judged that image data is now being transferred with thepriority level “1” (YES in Step S1261), the subroutine proceeds to StepS1262. If it is judged that image data is not being transferred with thepriority level “1” (NO in Step S1261), under the control of the CPU 10,it is judged whether or not there is a request stored in the queue, withthe priority level “1” (Step S1264). If it is judged that there is notsuch a request stored in the queue (NO in Step S1264), the subroutineproceeds to Step S1262.

If it is judged that there is such a request stored in the queue (YES inStep S1264), under the control of the CPU 10, the presently processingpoint of the image data is set as the resumption point and the settingis stored (Step S1265), so that the request with the priority level “1”could be executed on a priority basis, and the request is stored in thequeue again (Step S1266). Then, the subroutine returns to Step S1250 anda request with the priority level “1” is read out from the HDD transferqueue again, then executed by interruption on a priority basis.

In Step S1262, under the control of the CPU 10, it is judged whether ornot one page of image data is completely transferred. If it is judgedthat one page of image data is not yet completely transferred (NO inStep S1262), the subroutine returns to Step S1255 and repeats StepsS1255 through S1262 until it is completely transferred. If it is judgedthat one page of image data is completely transferred (YES in StepS1262), under the control of the CPU 10, a notification is transmittedto the display 12 to notify of transfer completion (Step S1263). Thenthe subroutine returns to Step S1250.

The procedures to transfer to/from the HDD 16 will be further detailedas following.

For example, if there is a request to input only image data read out bythe image reader 24 as shown in FIG. 10, a priority level of the dosFStransfer mode is written as “3” (Step S82), then the procedure totransfer data to the HDD 16 by the dosFS transfer mode is executed inStep S83 (FIG. 17), and the maximum continuous transfer image data sizeis set to 32 KB, in Step S835.

In Steps S836 through S839, parameter information is written in the HDD16 until a required size is reached. Since the required size of thedosFS transfer mode is set to 32 KB as mentioned above, parameterinformation is transferred until 32 KB is reached.

After the required size of parameter information of the image data iscompletely transferred, the maximum continuous transfer image data sizeis set to 128 KB in Step S841. In this way, parameter information iswritten by the dosFS transfer mode until one page is finished (Step S84of FIG. 10). When one page is finished, a request to transfer image datato/from the HDD 16 is written in the HDD image transfer queue, with thepriority level “2” (Step S85).

If a request to transfer image data to/from the HDD 16 is stored in theHDD image transfer queue with the priority level “2”, judgment in StepS1250 in the procedure to transfer to/from the HDD by the image datatransfer mode, which is shown in FIG. 18 and executed simultaneouslywith a procedure executed if image data read out from a document isinputted, results in “YES”. Then, a HDD transfer exclusion semaphore isobtained in Step S1255, and the maximum continuous transfer image datasize is updated in Step S1256. The current maximum continuous transferimage data size corresponds to the one set in advance in Step S841 ofFIG. 17, thus it is set to 128 KB in Step S1256. Then the image data istransferred to the HDD 16 until 128 KB is reached.

Steps S1255 through S1262 are repeated until one page of image data iscompletely written in the HDD 16 (YES in Step S1262).

In this way, it is transferred until one page is finished, and when onepage is finished (YES in Step S86 of FIG. 10 and YES in Step S1262 ofFIG. 18), a request to input a following page of image data is executed,accordingly.

The following is an example in which image data happens to befacsimile-received while image data read out from a document is beingtransferred to the HDD 16 (is being written in the HDD 16) from the workmemory 14.

In this example, the routine of FIG. 12 is activated (YES in Step S100),and a priority level of the dosFS transfer mode is written as “1” inStep S102. Subsequently, judgment in Step S831 results in “YES” and themaximum continuous transfer image data size is set to 8 MB in Step S833.Then the subroutine waits in Step S836 until a HDD transfer exclusionsemaphore is acquired.

Image data read out from a document is transferred to the HDD 16 by 128KB, the maximum continuous transfer image data size, untilfacsimile-received mage data is inputted. If facsimile-received imagedata is inputted, the maximum continuous transfer image data size ischanged to 8 KB in Step S833 and it is updated as 8 KB in Step S1256 ofFIG. 18. Then, 8 KB of the readout image data is completely transferred(YES in Step S1259), and the semaphore is released in Step S1260. Afterthe semaphore is released, judgments in Step 1261, S1264 and S1262result in “NO”, and then the subroutine waits until a semaphore isacquired in Step S1255.

On the other hand, if the semaphore is released in Step S1260, judgmentin Step S836 of FIG. 17 showing the procedure executed iffacsimile-received image data is inputted, results in “YES”. Then,parameter information is transferred to HDD 16 by 32 KB (the requestedsize) by the dosFS transfer mode.

If 32 KB of parameter information is completely transferred, thesemaphore is released (Step S840), and the maximum continuous transferimage data size is set to 128 KB (Step S840). If parameter informationof one page of image data is not yet completely transferred, judgment inStep S104 of FIG. 12 results in “NO”, a priority level is written as 1in Step S102, and the maximum continuous transfer image data size is setto 8 KB in Step S833 of FIG. 17. In other words, the maximum continuoustransfer image data size is always 8 KB until parameter information ofone page of the facsimile-received image data is completely transferred.

If the semaphore is released in Step S840, judgment in Step 1255 of FIG.18 showing a procedure executed if image data read out from a documentis inputted, which has been kept waiting for semaphore release, resultsin “YES”. Then, the maximum continuous transfer image data size isupdated as 8 KB in Step S1256, and the readout image data is transferreduntil 8 KB is reached.

As described above, under control, transfer of 8 KB of image data readout from a document and transfer of parameter information of 32 KB offacsimile-received image data are performed alternately, and thereby theparameter information of facsimile-received image data is transferred ina more expeditious way.

In another example of FIG. 19 in which a priority level of the dosFStransfer mode is not changed depending on image data and the image datais transferred by the maximum continuous transfer image data size thatis not changed (128 KB for example), the image data is transferred bythe maximum continuous transfer data size 128 KB meanwhile parameterinformation is transferred by the maximum continuous transfer data size32 KB by the dosFS transfer mode, and thereby the image data istransferred on a priority basis.

Contrarily, in this embodiment, if a request to facsimile-input orfacsimile-output image data is issued while other image data (forexample, image data read out from a document) is being stored in the HDD16, transfer of 8 KB of the readout image data and transfer of 32 KB ofparameter information of the facsimile-received image data or the imagedata to be facsimile-outputted by the DosFS transfer mode, are performedalternately as shown in FIG. 20. And thereby, parameter information isstored by the DosFS transfer mode in a more expeditious way.

As described above in this embodiment, even if a request to writeparameter information of facsimile-received image data in the HDD 16 isissued or even if a request to read out parameter information of imagedata to be facsimile-transmitted from the HDD 16 is issued while otherimage data is being transferred to the HDD 16, the maximum continuoustransfer image data size by which the image data is transferred theretois compressed, and thereby parameter information of thefacsimile-received image data or the image data to befacsimile-transmitted is written in/read out from the HDD 16 in a moreexpeditious way.

If parameter information of one page of facsimile-received image data iscompletely written in the HDD 16 (YES in Step S104 of FIG. 12), then inStep S105, a request to transfer the image data to the HDD 16 is writtenin the HDD image transfer queue, with the priority level “1”.Subsequently, the judgment in Step S1264 (of FIG. 18) about the ongoingimage data results in “YES”, and a request to transfer the image data isregistered in the queue by the resumption mode (Step S1266). Then theroutine returns to Step S1250.

Since a request to transfer the facsimile-received image data is writtenin the transfer queue with the priority level “1”, the request is pickedup from the queue on a priority basis in Step S1251 of FIG. 18, and onepage of the facsimile-received image data is completely written in theHDD 16. In this embodiment, the maximum continuous transfer image datasize is already set to 128 KB in Step S841 (of FIG. 17) of thesubroutine to transfer data by the dosFS transfer mode, and thereby thefacsimile-received image data is transferred by this size in a moreexpeditious way.

If one page of the image data is completely transferred, transfer of theimage data read out from a document, which request is re-registered inadvance in the queue by the resumption mode, is resumed (YES in StepS1252).

As described above in this embodiment, even if a request to transferfacsimile-received image data to the HDD 16 is issued with a higherpriority level while image data read out from a document is beingtransferred to the HDD16 with a lower priority level, transfer of thefacsimile-received mage data interrupts transfer of the readout imagedata.

Advantages of this present invention will be further explained withreference to pattern diagrams shown in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22.

In these embodiments, facsimile-received image data and image data readout by the image reader 24 are transferred to the HDD 16,simultaneously.

Page 1 of image data read out by the image reader 24 is compressed andstored in the work memory 14 at the same time. After completion ofstoring, the image data is started to be transferred to (stored in) theHDD 16. And after Page 1 of the image data is completely transferred to(stored in) the HDD 16, Page 2 of image data is read out, compressed,stored in the work memory 14, and then transferred to (stored in) theHDD 16, which sequence is repeated about respective pages. Concretely,image data is intermittently transferred to the HDD 16 page by page, atthe interval of time taking from reading out by the image reader 24until transferring to the work memory 14.

Meanwhile, in the same way, facsimile-received image data isintermittently transferred to the HDD 16 page by page, at the intervalof time taking from receiving until transferring to the work memory 14.

Under the condition described above, a request to transfer Page 1 of thefacsimile-received image data to the HDD 16 is issued while Page 1 ofthe image data read out by the image reader 24 is being transferred to(stored in) the HDD 16.

As shown in FIG. 21, according to a conventional embodiment, a requestto transfer Page 1 of the facsimile-received image data to the HDD 16 issuspended for a queuing time P1, until Page 1 of the image data read outfrom a document is completely transferred to (stored in) the HDD 16. Thequeuing time P1 arises about respective pages of the facsimile-receivedimage data. Therefore, according to this Figure, if two pages of imagedata are facsimile-received, transfer of the two pages of image data issuspended for the queuing time P1+P2.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 22, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, even while the image data read out by the imagereader 24 is being transferred to (stored in) the HDD 16, it isinterrupted by transfer of the facsimile-received image data and thefacsimile-received image data is immediately transferred to the HDD 16without a queuing time, which could save the processing time by thequeuing time P1+P2.

Further, if one page of the facsimile-received image data is completelytransferred, the transfer of the image data read out by the image reader24, which is suspended by the interruption, is resumed. After theresumption, the image data read out by the image reader 24 can becontinuously transferred until a request to transfer a following page ofthe facsimile-received image data to the HDD 16 is issued. However,after the resumption, if the image data read out by the image reader 24is completely transferred to the HDD 16 before a request to transfer afollowing page of the facsimile-received image data to the HDD 16 isissued, the following page of the facsimile-received image data is readout, compressed and stored in the work memory 14.

As described above in this present embodiment, facsimile-received imagedata is immediately stored page by page without a queuing time, whichcould make the overall FAX reception time (communication time) shorterthan that of the conventional embodiment. Therefore, this presentembodiment could resolve the inconveniences that are productivityreduction caused by a long FAX reception time and a high communicationcost charged to a sender FAX.

Further, if one page of facsimile-received image data is completelytransferred, the transfer of the image data read out by the image reader24, which is suspended by the interruption, is resumed. Therefore, thispresent embodiment could resolve the inconvenience in which the transferof the image data read out by the image reader 24 is suspended by theinterruption until all pages of facsimile-received image data iscompletely transferred.

Briefly, in this present embodiment, facsimile-received image data istransferred to the HDD 16 on a priority basis, and also, image data readout by the image reader 24 is transferred to the HDD 16 efficiently.

As explained above, the sequence of FIG. 22 is executed if image data isfacsimile-received. However, this sequence is also executed if imagedata is facsimile-outputted. In this case, this embodiment could alsoresolve the inconveniences caused by a long FAX transmission time(communication time), which are a long occupation time of a receiver FAXand a high communication cost for the FAX communication. Further, thisembodiment shows the case in which facsimile-received image data andimage data read out from a document are transferred to the HDD 16,simultaneously. However, this embodiment also can be applied to the casein which facsimile-received image data and other image data that is notfacsimile-inputted image data or image data to be facsimile-outputted,are transferred to/from the HDD 16, simultaneously.

Explained above is one embodiment of the present invention, and thepresent invention is not limited to this embodiment.

Concretely, in this embodiment above, facsimile-received image data orimage data to be facsimile-transmitted is transferred between the workmemory 14 and the HDD 16 with a higher priority level than other imagedata, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Forexample, image data to be externally outputted or image data read outfrom an external PC also can be transferred to/from the HDD 16 with ahigher priority level than other image data. Concretely, it also can beconfigured such that image data externally inputted/to be outputted istransferred between the work memory and the nonvolatile recording mediumwith a higher priority level than other image data, for a certainpurpose, e.g. for the purpose of shortening the processing time of anexternal apparatus and the self apparatus, as much as possible.

While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, anumber of illustrative embodiments are described herein with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered asproviding examples of the principles of the invention and such examplesare not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodimentsdescribed herein and/or illustrated herein.

While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been describedherein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferredembodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodimentshaving equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g.of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterationsas would be appreciated by those in the art based on the presentdisclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadlybased on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examplesdescribed in the present specification or during the prosecution of theapplication, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. Forexample, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” isnon-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limited to”. In thisdisclosure and during the prosecution of this application,means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only beemployed where for a specific claim limitation all of the followingconditions are present In that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for”is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited;and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are notrecited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of thisapplication, the terminology “present invention” or “invention” may beused as a reference to one or more aspect within the present disclosure.The language present invention or invention should not be improperlyinterpreted as an identification of criticality, should not beimproperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments(i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a numberof aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted aslimiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure andduring the prosecution of this application, the terminology “embodiment”can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, anycombination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples,various embodiments may include overlapping features. In this disclosureand during the prosecution of this case, the following abbreviatedterminology may be employed: “e.g.” which means “for example”, and “NB”which means “note well”.

1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a volatile recording mediumthat stores image data in itself; a nonvolatile recording medium thatstores image data in itself; a transfer portion that transfers imagedata page by page between the volatile recording medium and thenonvolatile recording medium; a controller that suspends transfer of onepage of first image data, lets transfer of one page of second image datainterrupt, and executes transfer of that page of the second image dataon a priority basis, if a request to transfer that page of the secondimage data is issued with a higher priority level than that page of thefirst image data while that page of the first image data is beingtransferred by the transfer portion, and then, resumes transfer of anuntransferred portion of that page of the first image data after thatpage of the second image data is completely transferred.
 2. The imageprocessing apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first image dataand the second image data consist of a plurality of pages, and thetransfer portion intermittently transfers page by page the first imagedata and the second image data between the volatile recording medium andthe nonvolatile recording medium.
 3. The image processing apparatus asrecited in claim 1, wherein the second image data corresponds tofacsimile-received data.
 4. The image processing apparatus as recited inclaim 1, wherein the second image data corresponds to data to befacsimile-transmitted.
 5. An image data transfer control methodcomprising: suspending transfer of one page of first image data that istransferred page by page, letting transfer of one page of second imagedata that is also transferred page by page, interrupt, and executingtransfer of that page of the second image data on a priority basis, if arequest to transfer that page of the second image data is issued with ahigher priority level than that page of the first image data while thatpage of the first image data is being transferred between a volatilerecording medium and a nonvolatile recording medium storing image datain their selves; and resuming transfer of an untransferred portion ofthat page of the first image data after that page of the second imagedata is completely transferred.
 6. The image data transfer controlmethod as recited in claim 5, wherein the first image data and thesecond image data consist of a plurality of pages, and the first imagedata and the second image data are intermittently transferred page bypage between the volatile recording medium and the nonvolatile recordingmedium.
 7. The image data transfer control method as recited in claim 5,wherein the second image data corresponds to facsimile-received data. 8.The image data transfer control method as recited in claim 5, whereinthe second image data corresponds to data to be facsimile-transmitted.9. An image data transfer control program stored in a non-transitorycomputer readable recording medium to make a computer of an imageprocessing apparatus execute: suspending transfer of one page of firstimage data that is transferred page by page, letting transfer of onepage of second image data that is also transferred page by page,interrupt, and executing transfer of that page of the second image dataon a priority basis, if a request to transfer that page of the secondimage data is issued with a higher priority level than that page of thefirst image data while that page of the first image data is beingtransferred between a volatile recording medium and a nonvolatilerecording medium storing image data in their selves; and resumingtransfer of an untransferred portion of that page of the first imagedata after that page of the second image data is completely transferred.10. The image data transfer control program as recited in claim 9,wherein the first image data and the second image data consists of aplurality of pages, and the first image data and the second image dataare intermittently transferred page by page between the volatilerecording medium and the nonvolatile recording medium.
 11. The imagedata transfer control program as recited in claim 9, wherein the secondimage data corresponds to facsimile-received data.
 12. The image datatransfer control program as recited in claim 9, wherein the second imagedata corresponds to data to be facsimile-transmitted.